Effects of cadmium and glufosinate ammonium contaminated water on wild strawberry plants

Abstract

Fragaria vesca L. (cv. Annabelle) plants were cultivated in hydroponic system and treated for 28 days with control (Hoagland solution), 1 mg L−1 of Cd, 10 µg L−1 of glufosinate ammonium and the mix of glufosinate ammonium and Cd. Cd and glufosinate influenced the photosynthetic parameters starting from day 18. Cd influenced the fruit fresh weight after 28 days of exposure. The accumulation of Cd in roots was highest among all plant organs and was estimated being 200 µg g−1DW followed by leaves at < 15 µg g−1DW and reaching the lowest concentrations in fruits at < 3 µg g−1DW. Only the metabolite 3-(hydroxymethylphosphinyl) propionic acid (MPP) of glufosinate was detected over the detection limit in each organ analysed. Glufosinate exposure reduced Ca uptake (− 35% compared to control) in fruits while Cd reduced the uptake of Fe and Ca in leaves and Zn, Mn and Ca in fruits. Thus, residual Cd and glufosinate ammonium, that could be present in wastewater used for irrigation, may affect wild strawberry physiology. The data indicates that at the concentrations mentioned above, the consumers have a low risk of Cd exposure but can be exposed to glufosinate metabolite MPP through consumption of fruits that are grown in contaminated wastewater.